“Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’ (Matthew 14:28-33)  Have you ever started out on a journey only to realize that you may have forgotten something?  Perhaps it was turning off the coffee maker, locking the front door, or maybe even suddenly remembering that you cannot walk on water!  This is Peter’s predicament and this is one of the most wonderful and remarkable stories in the Gospels.  He was doing just fine at first, God love him, but then his attention drifted from Jesus to the turbulence of the wind and waves.  Isn’t that the case for all of us?  We’ll get started on trying to respond to Jesus and then the turbulence of life once again draws us away; and then there is trouble!  What strikes me about the story this week is that the wind and waves are under the direct command of our Lord.  However, oddly enough, our faith doesn’t work that way.  Jesus can tell the wind to shut up and the sea to settle down, but he does not command us to believe.  For that, he seeks our cooperation.  Therefore, how do you and I cooperate with the One who holds all power?  It isn’t by leading pretty good lives or trying harder.  It isn’t even primarily going to church (as important as that is) or being generous (again, an important thing).  No, the way that you and I can cooperate and believe; the way (and only way) that you and I can step out and join Jesus in doing the impossible is by keeping our eyes solely on him.  That is true when the storms are raging and true when the skies are blue.  Is Jesus saying to you, “Come?”  Keep your eyes on him and have a great week!